How To Lighten Dark Upper Lip Naturally

Those dark upper lips can be very unsettling. I understand. And, the problem is not with dark skin; the problem is with some parts of the face being darker than the rest. Not many people relate to this, but it can be a real cause of embarrassment. Of course, there are many cosmetics that can help you camouflage these issues, but they offer temporary respite. You need to fix this permanently, so how do you do that? Take the natural home remedies route – it might be a little slow, but it is the safest way of doing it.

In this article, we are going to help you with home remedies that use ingredients in your kitchen and fridge. They cost practically nothing and give great results. So, let’s dive right in and look at these remedies. But before that, let’s look at the factors that cause your upper lip to become dark.

What Causes Dark Upper Lips?

There’s not one particular cause for a dark upper lip. It looks different on different people, depending on their skin tone and age. Here are some widely known causes:

The most common reason is a hormonal imbalance. Menopausal women are usually prone to this.

If you are on birth control pills for a long time, it causes melasma, which is the scientific name for hyperpigmentation on some parts of your skin.

Suntan and sunburns are another cause for dark skin above your upper lip. The skin around your lips and chin is quite sensitive and is the first to get affected by exposure to the sun.

Smoking causes discoloration and pigmentation, especially around the lips.

Waxing your upper lip or shaving it can lead to the formation of a dark patch on it. You should always resort to safer methods like bleaching (a good brand) or threading to avoid this.

If you map these common causes to your lifestyle, you can take care of most of them. For example, if it is due to hormonal imbalance, it will slowly fade away as your hormones stabilize. Here are some methods that will help you reduce the appearance of those dark spots or a mustache like a shadow above your lip.

Preparation Time

Processing Time

How To Use

Leave it on for about 20 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water.

How Often?

At least 2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

Turmeric contains curcumin that balances the production of melanin (4). It is also an excellent anti-inflammatory agent, so it helps with sunburns and other skin issues (5). Tomato juice contains astringents, and lemon juice is known for its natural bleaching properties (6).

6. Toothbrush

What You Need

Processing Time

5 minutes

How To Use

Massage with the toothbrush over your lip or the affected area in a circular motion.

Do this for 5 minutes or so.

How Often?

As often as you can.

Why This Works

It seems trivial, but a toothbrush is an exciting hack. It works as a great massaging tool and improves blood circulation. The bristles help boost blood circulation, remove any dead cells, and clear clogs. Make sure you use a toothbrush with soft bristles.

8. Honey And Rose Petals

What You Need

Preparation Time

Processing Time

Overnight

How To Use

Crush the rose petals into a paste.

Add honey to this paste.

Apply the mixture to the affected area and leave it on overnight.

How Often?

As often as you can.

Why This Works

Rose petals are used extensively in the cosmetic industry, especially in lip balms and related products. They contain natural sugar and oils that help with discoloration and make your skin soft and smooth.

9. Glycerin

What You Need

Processing Time

Overnight

How To Use

Dip the cotton pad or swab in glycerin and apply it above your lips.

Leave it on overnight.

Rinse it off the next morning.

How Often?

Use it every night before you sleep.

Why This Works

Glycerin, as we all know, is the most effective moisturizing agent and is used in most skin and face creams (10). People with dehydrated skin end up with dark and flaky skin because of hydration issues, and glycerin takes care of that.

10. Beetroot

What You Need

Preparation Time

Processing Time

How To Use

Dip the cotton pad in beetroot juice and apply it over your upper lip.

Do this before you sleep and leave it on overnight.

Rinse your face as usual the next morning.

How Often?

At least 2-3 times a week or until you see a change.

Why This Works

Beetroot juice is a natural colorant and is heavily used in skin whitening/lightening treatments for the same reason (11). Plus, it also has bleaching properties that help reduce the dark spots and pigmentation.

11. Orange Peels

What You Need

Preparation Time

Processing Time

How To Use

Crush the orange peels by tossing them into a blender.

Add curd to this and make a paste.

Apply this to the affected area and leave it on for about 30 minutes.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

Orange is a vital ingredient in most peel off face masks because it is filled with vitamin C and helps lighten your skin naturally (12). The lactic acid(alpha hydroxy acid) in curd exfoliates your skin, thereby repairing any damage that might have been caused (13).

12. Gram Flour, Honey, And Milk

What You Need

Preparation Time

Processing Time

How To Use

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

Apply the mixture to your upper lip.

Leave it on for about 30 minutes or till it dries.

Wash it off and moisturize the area.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

Gram flour is one of the best skin lightening agents available in our households (14). It can be combined with just about anything and used as a mask. By using it consistently, you will see a remarkable difference in your skin.

You could choose to spend money on dermatology treatments and creams to solve your problem. If it’s an extreme condition, by all means, resort to it. Otherwise, it’s best not to put your skin through more chemicals than it already needs. Try these methods consistently, and you will be amazed at the results. If you still have any questions, feel free to write back to us by dropping a text in the comments section below. Take care!